Introduction

Group Communications

Today’s Agenda…

n        Syllabus & housekeeping topics

n        Project explanation 

n        APA training

n        Chapter 1

n        Chapter 2

n        Chapter 3

n        Chapter 4

n        Chapter 5

Using your Textbook

n   Quick reference inside front cover to problems and solutions groups face.

n   Read Chapter 1-5 for Midterm

n   Read chapters 6-10 for Final

n   Not all items may be covered in class, but if it is text, you will still be responsible for finding information

APA Training

n   Title Page

n   Introduction

n   Main text

n   Conclusion

n   Discussion

n   Reference Page

Is it break time yet?

n   Quick 10 minute break

n   Instructor starts on time.

“Seek first to understand then be understood.”

What is Communication?

n         Expression of your thoughts

n         Verbal and Non-verbal   Communication

n         Sharing of ideas and feelings

Definition of communication:

n The process by which people create and send signals 

n That are received, interpreted and responded to by other people.

5 principles or characteristics of communication

n   Human communication is symbolic

n   Communication is personal

n   Communication is a transactional process

n   See page 6 in text

n   Communication is not always intentional

n   Communication involves content, relationship, and affective levels

Effective Communication

n   Communication is effective when the stimulus as it is initiated and intended by the sender, corresponds with the stimulus as it is perceived and responded to by the receiver.

n   What was communicated is what was understood.

Five myths of Communication

n   “I understand communication.  I’ve been communicating all my life.”

n   “ All human problems are communication problems.”

n   “If  communicators use good communications techniques they will automatically have good communication.”

n   “I didn’t misunderstand him.  He misunderstood me.”

n   Good communications achieves perfect understanding among participants.

4 Types of Messages that we send

n   Intentional Verbal – Conscious attempt we make to communicate with others through speech

n   2. Unintentional Verbal – things we say without meaning to

n   3. Intentional non-verbal – non verbal message we want to transmit

n   4. Unintentional von-verbal – non-verbal message w/out our control

Channels of communication

n    Virtual – teleconference

n   Hearing

n   Seeing – if it is an interactive Webinar

n   Download notes

n    Face to face

n   Visuals, power point, handouts

n   Sensory organs

n   Hearing

n   Sight

n   Touch

n   Speech

Noise (Interference)

n   Anything that distorts the information transmitted to the receiver or distracts from receiving it. 

n   Psychological Noise

n   Physiological Distractions

n   Environmental Distractions 

Filters

n   Physiological: limitations built in that cannot be reversed

n  (hearing loss, speech impediment, pain, hunger, fatigue, etc)

n   Psychological: culture, perception and predisposition,

n  automatic thoughts / opinions

n  Psychological noise

Definition of a Group

n   A collection of Three or more people who interact about some common problem or interdependent goal and can exert mutual influence over each other.

Key Elements of a Group

n   Size – 3 or more creates possibility of influence

n   Goal orientation – share common problem

n   Mutual influence – by listening, talking and trying to affect each others attitudes, thinking and behavior

n   Mutual influence causes new experience each time group meets

What are the advantages of Group Work

n   Thinking from different perspectives

n   Unique experience of each member

n   Broader perspective

n   See issues in a number of ways

n   Correction of group think

n   Work is more fun and exciting…

Disadvantage of Group Work?

n   Cost time and revenue

n   Prep time hinders productivity time

n   Possible non-cooperative climate

n   Coalition formed to block process

n   Perceived differences /personality conflicts

n   Individual Agendas hinder group progress

Two basic dimensions of group communications

n   Tasks – Focus of the group is on achieving its goals

n   Relationships – Focus on who we are in Relationship to others and management of surrounding circumstances

Task Dimension Concerns

n   Productivity refers to task related output

n   Measured against quality or quantity criteria

n   Productivity flows from the communication in the task and relationship dimensions

Relationship Dimensions

n   Relationships impact member attraction

n   This dimension is concerned with developing and maintaining relationships

n  What is the group norm?

n  What are the roles and how do they evolve

n  Power and power use

n  Conflict and conflict management

n  Interpersonal relationships

Groups & Teams

n   Groups may be referred to as teams or work-groups

n   A team is a group that has reached a higher level of quality according to Kinlaw (Wilson, 2005).

n   Cohesiveness

n   Creates critical work processes

n   Provides leadership for its own development & performance

n   It can be a decision making unit with the right leadership

n   May or may not be ongoing once project is complete

Well trained teams have:

n   A clearly defined goal

n   Understands each other’s responsibilities and how each goal fits into overall goal of team

n   Able & willing to cover each other when a member is absent 9use cross-training)

n   Experience with issues at hand

n   Problem solving ability

n   Openness and support

A Good Team Contributor

n   Learns to provide leadership in both the task and relationship area from within your area of strengths.

n   Leadership is everyone’s business in the group.

n   Productivity of group based the outcome of talk about tasks.

n   Cohesiveness linked to positive relationships

Kinds of Group Meetings

n   Information sharing meetings

n   Occurs regularly with predictable agenda

n   Clear set of traditions

n   No expectations of decision making

n   Decision-Making Meetings

n   One meeting or on-going meetings

n   Loose agenda

n   Effective leadership helps groups progress through stages until task is accomplished

n   Information definitely shared but may require in-depth research.

n    Special event meeting – sales, fund-raising, etc

The Information Processing of a Small Group

n   Components of decision making Fig1.2

n  Show input, processing and output of this system

n  Wide variety of variables that affect dynamics of group

System properties to consider

n   Boundaries

n   Hierarchy

n   Wholeness and Interdependence

n   Goals

n   Self Regulation

n   Balance

n   Equifinality

Ethical Responsibilities of Group

n   Determine to do your best

n   Determine to behave with the Group’s good in mind

n   Make a commitment to fair play

n   Determine to listen carefully and to participate fully

n   Take on a participant analyst role

Journal

n   See Handout

n   Bring list of all references to next class !!!